Giving News

Children’s Receives $5 Million Gift

The Lincy Foundation donation helps enhance the delivery of safe, appropriate and effective care to patients and their families.

2/9/2011

Children’s Hospital Central California has received a $5 million gift from The Lincy Foundation, a charitable organization founded by prominent businessman and philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian, a Central Valley native. This is the largest, single gift in the hospital’s history.

The donation supports the hospital’s ongoing implementation of an Advanced Clinical Systems (ACS) technology infrastructure. This new technological environment will enhance the delivery of safe, appropriate and effective care to patients and their families while addressing the needs of referring physicians. Achieved by leveraging an integrated, centrally accessible electronic records system, the ACS will enhance quality, patient safety and clinical outcomes.

“The new, technological environment will allow us to streamline and coordinate care, delivering instant patient data to our doctors and nurses as they make treatment decisions,” said Todd Suntrapak, Children’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

In addition to the ACS program, Children’s will use funds from the donation to explore a physicians' fellowship program and increase its research infrastructure.

“We are pleased to be able to partner with Children’s Hospital as they enhance their position as the leading pediatric healthcare provider in the region and throughout the Western United States,” said Anthony Mandekic, chairman of the board for The Lincy Foundation. “Mr. Kerkorian holds a special place in his heart for the Armenian community of Central California and the region as a whole. We’re proud to support an organization that provides exceptional levels of care to all children, regardless of their families’ ability to pay.”

The Lincy Foundation was formed in 1989 by Kirk Kerkorian—a Fresno native well known for his business activities in Las Vegas and the Hollywood film industry. The original purpose of the foundation was to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Spitak, Armenia. Since its inception, The Lincy Foundation has provided financial gifts to the humanitarian efforts of numerous U.S. charities while continuing to provide support for Armenia. Funding of The Lincy Foundation is provided solely by Kerkorian’s company, Tracinda Corporation. Both Tracinda and The Lincy Foundation are named for Kerkorian’s daughters, Tracy and Linda.

David Nalchajian, Vice Chairman of the Children’s Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, was instrumental in bringing the leadership at The Lincy Foundation and Children’s Hospital together.

“We are truly honored that Mr. Kerkorian and the Board of Directors at The Lincy Foundation are connected to our region,” said Nalchajian. “While that connection stems from deep rooted relationships within the Armenian community, the impact of The Lincy Foundation gift will reach all children served by the hospital. I am grateful Mr. Kerkorian’s philanthropic vision so perfectly meshes with the exceptional care provided by Children’s Hospital’s doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers. The Lincy Foundation has always extended their generosity and compassion where most needed. We are blessed to have their support.”

The gift from The Lincy Foundation comes in the midst of the $42 million “Campaign for Children’s” initiative that has raised $37.2 million to date. The campaign supports the construction of the Paramount Farms Plaza, the Children’s Fund—an indispensable pool of resources that help meet day-to-day and capital needs and the Endowment for Excellence, the Willson Heart Center Endowment and The Guilds of Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Endowment.

“There is no such thing as a child we shouldn’t care for, whether they are ours, our neighbor’s or from across the Valley. This tremendous gift from The Lincy Foundation is a testament to our hospital’s quality of care and the importance of maintaining a strong and vital hospital for our kids,” said Bill Smittcamp, who co-chairs the campaign with his wife Linda.